7 Reasons Why Eating Collard Greens Can Help You Lose Weight
Have you ever heard that eating collard greens can help you lose weight? If so, did you know that there are 7 scientifically-backed up reasons why this is true? Here are the reasons why eating collard greens can help you lose weight.
Eating Collard Greens to Lose Weight:
Eat more green vegetables. High in fiber and vitamins, collard greens can help to fill you up without a lot of calories. (About 2 cups has about 20 calories.) If you’re trying to lose weight, try swapping out your ordinary lettuce for a handful of these leafy greens. While it is low in calories and carbohydrates, eating collard greens to lose weight can also be high in other nutrients that are beneficial for dieters. For example, collards are rich in calcium, iron, and vitamin K—three nutrients that are great for bone health as well as helping to prevent bone loss.
Benefits of eating leafy greens
Leafy greens are packed with health benefits. They contain numerous vitamins and minerals that help keep you healthy, including calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. One cup of cooked collard greens contains 100 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K, which can help prevent heart disease and cancer. What’s more? Leafy greens are also high in fiber, which is essential for weight loss because it helps you feel full faster.
Protein content in leafy green vegetables
Protein is a crucial part of any diet, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. It fills us up and prevents us from snacking on extra calories that we don’t need. The protein content in leafy green vegetables like collard greens make them a healthy addition to any meal—and they can help keep you full until your next snack or meal. One cup of cooked collard greens contains 7 grams of protein, which is more than an egg white (6 grams) or half a cup of cottage cheese (8 grams). That’s not too shabby! If you want to add some variety to your usual meat-heavy dinner plate, try adding 1/2 cup of cooked collard greens for an additional 5 grams of protein.
The fiber content in leafy green vegetables
Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet and eating leafy green vegetables like collard greens is a good way to get your fill. In addition to being high in fiber, collards also contain vitamin K, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. If you’re not sure how to prepare leafy greens such as collards, reach for your frying pan—just make sure it’s stainless steel or nonstick. Studies have shown that consuming leafy greens cooked in these types of pans has greater bioavailability than when they are cooked in others.
Health benefits from calcium and vitamin C in collard greens
Leafy greens may have earned their reputation as an almost magical weight-loss food thanks to their high fiber content. But they also provide your body with a variety of important nutrients that can help you lose weight and keep it off, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and calcium. A cup of cooked collard greens has just 31 calories and more than three times as much vitamin C as a glass of orange juice. That’s not all—collards are high in manganese (which is essential for healthy bone growth) and contain antioxidants that help reduce your risk of chronic disease. Most importantly, leafy greens like collards are good sources of fiber; one serving provides about half your daily needs.
Other nutrients found in leafy green vegetables
Leafy greens are a great way to get a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals—especially calcium, magnesium, and potassium. But leafy greens aren’t just great for helping to fight off disease and maintain bone health. They also contain antioxidants that can help keep your body functioning at its best. Moreover, they contain nitrates that promote cardiovascular health by acting as vasodilators (they open up blood vessels), which can ultimately reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow throughout your body. So, if you want to try some delicious ways to lose weight with greens, check out these collard green recipes.
Collard green recipe:
Don’t be intimidated by collard greens. Just about any grocery store will carry them, so there’s no reason to pass up a healthy vegetable that can have so many positive effects on your health. If you struggle with finding recipes or are just looking for more ways to include collard greens in your diet, try these seven recipes. From lightened-up comfort food dishes to quick breakfast ideas, these collard green recipes will help you get all of your daily veggies in one delicious meal.
